"Bar the shouting, the war in Libya ended Thursday morning, July 14, when (Obama) called Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to hand Moscow the lead role in negotiations with (Gaddafi to end) the conflict - provided only that the Libyan ruler steps down in favor of a transitional administration."

More about Obama's demand below. For now, America's Libya terror bombing continues unabated, despite a White House July 13 Office of the Press Secretary release, saying:

Obama thanked "Russia's efforts to mediate a political solution in Libya, emphasizing that (Washington) is prepared to support negotiations that lead to a democratic transition....as long as (Gaddafi) steps aside."

In fact, Obama spurns democratic values abroad and at home, intolerable notions he won't accept, nor peace, waging multiple imperial wars with no letup. In Libya, moreover, at issue isn't Gaddafi, it's colonizing another country, controlling its resources, plundering its wealth, and exploiting its people, the same US aim always.

On July 15, Washington and about 30 European and Middle East countries illegally recognized insurgent leaders as Libya's legitimate government - the so-called Transitional National Council (TNC). Meeting in Istanbul (without China and Russia), the Libya Contact Group issued a statement, saying:

"Henceforth, and until an interim authority is in place, participants agreed to deal with the (TNC) as the legitimate government authority in Libya."

It added that Gaddafi no longer had legitimacy and must leave Libya with his family.

"We still have to work through various legal issues (in order words, avoid them entirely), but we expect this step on recognition will enable the TNC to access additional sources of funding," including $30 billion of up to $150 billion of Libya's stolen wealth, besides its rich oil, gas, and water resources worth many multiples more.

At the same time, frustration grows after four months of stalemated ground and air operations. As a result, despite saying Gaddafi must go, some NATO partners seem willing to let him stay, though not in his present capacity.

Gaddafi, in fact, vows never to leave or surrender to insurgents or NATO. In a July 16 audio address, he told supporters:

"They are asking me to leave. That's a laugh. I will never leave the land of my ancestors or the people who have sacrificed themselves for me. After we gave our children as martyrs, we can't backtrack or surrender or give up or move an inch."

Libyans overwhelmingly back him, rallying in images (and reports) major media suppress, accessed through the following links:

No one called them out. No one demanded support for Gaddafi. They came on their own, what usually happens when nations are lawlessly attacked. People rally overwhelmingly behind leaders against foreign aggressors. Libyans know Washington and NATO, not Gaddafi, is their enemy.

Moreover, they're armed, ready to defend their country against invaders because Gaddafi gave about two million civilians weapons, more than enough to oust him if they wished. They don't!

DEBKA also said that:

"From July 9, (its) military sources (said) NATO discontinued its air strikes against Libyan pro-government targets in Tripoli and other places. (Though unannounced, it signaled) that 15,000 flight missions (actually 15,308 through July 15) and 6,000 (actually 5,767 through July 15) bombardments of Qaddafi targets had failed to achieve their object."

In fact, NATO's web site (http://www.aco.nato.int/page424201235.aspx) states the following:

For July 9: 112 sorties conducted, including 48 strike missions;

For July 10: 139 sorties conducted, including 54 strike missions;

For July 11: 132 sorties conducted, including 49 strike missions;

For July 12: 127 sorties conducted, including 35 strike missions;

For July 13: No data posted. The above pattern likely continued.

For July 14: 132 sorties conducted, including 48 strike missions.

For July 15: 115 sorties conducted, including 46 strike missions.

Reporting from Tripoli on July 17, Middle East/Central Asian analyst Mahdi Nazemroaya emailed that "(l)ast night was very bad here. They bombed like crazy and everything was shaking."

He elaborated in a Global Research.ca article, accessed through the following link:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=25658

Calling it an overnight "Blitzkrieg," he cited "large explosions....heard in the distance. Multiple urban areas were bombed simultaneously this morning."

According to eyewitnesses, about 60 - 75 bombs hit Tajura (14 km east of Tripoli) and the city's Seraj area. Continuing a regular pattern, civilian targets were struck, including residential areas. On July 16, Libyan state television reported mostly civilian casualties without specific numbers.

So far, in fact, for every combatant death, 10 civilians have been killed as a result of non-military sites struck, including residential neighborhoods.

Over night near bombing areas, "it was like an earthquake. Large buildings as far away as Al-Fatah Street....were shaking."

July 16 strikes, however, differed from previous ones. Burning smells and "a strange smoldering filled the air" and lingered. "It even remained on the skin (after) the bombings....The sounds (and smoke plumes) were different."

"deliberate aggression against innocent civilians, the murder of children, as well as trying to overthrow the Libyan regime....(He's) responsible (for) attack(ing) unarmed people, killing 1,108 and wounding 4,537 others in bombardment of Tripoli and other cities and villages."

He also charged him with trying to murder Gaddafi.

On July 14, Rasmussen tried having it both ways, "encouraging all allies that have aircraft at their disposal to take part in operation," while calling for a pro-Western political solution Libyans won't accept, nor should they.

A Final Comment

Securing imperial control is the issue, an objective putting America at odds with millions of Libyans determined to resist and prevail.

In fact, Washington's strategy may have backfired. Most Libyans united behind Gaddafi, together with regional and other allies, including China and Russia (for their own strategic interests), against exploitive Western "liberation."

Though no end of conflict is imminent, perhaps this time people power may triumph. If so, the message to other imperial victims is don't quit. Struggling long enough to prevail at times succeeds. Maybe this time for Libyans.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

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